Author: Gist Correspondent

Members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Rivers State have hailed the suspension of the party’s Caretaker Committee Chairman, Dr Robinson Ewor, describing the decision as timely, courageous and necessary to safeguard the party’s integrity.

Party stakeholders who spoke after the decision said Ewor’s alleged alignment with the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, amounted to a betrayal of party trust, especially given Wike’s expulsion from the PDP. They argued that the suspension had restored discipline and reaffirmed the party’s resolve to resist external interference.

Ewor had recently accused Governor Siminalayi Fubara of misleading party leaders and supporters over the prolonged political crisis in the state, claiming the governor falsely projected readiness to challenge Wike’s influence before allegedly abandoning the party at a critical moment. He further alleged that PDP leaders were left “adrift in a political sea” following Fubara’s defection to the All Progressives Congress (APC) in December 2025.

However, party members dismissed Ewor’s comments as divisive and self-serving, noting that his public posture and recent appearance with Wike during the former governor’s “thank you” tour of local government areas undermined the PDP’s collective position.

At an emergency meeting of the PDP Caretaker Committee held in Port Harcourt on Saturday, the party formally suspended Ewor both as chairman and as a member, citing actions deemed capable of destabilising the PDP in the oil-rich state.

The Secretary of the Caretaker Committee, Chief Ogbam Ojimah, who has now assumed office as Acting Chairman, said party members overwhelmingly supported the decision, insisting that the PDP must remain united and focused under the leadership of the national chairman, Dr Kabiru Turaki.

Ojimah reaffirmed that Wike remains expelled from the party and therefore has no right to interfere in its affairs in Rivers State. He added that the PDP had completely distanced itself from Ewor’s statements and activities.

According to him, the Caretaker Committee resolved to disassociate itself from all press statements and public utterances attributed to Ewor, stressing that by his conduct, he had effectively relinquished his position before his formal suspension.

The committee also unanimously appointed Dr Baribefu Fidunko as Acting Secretary, a move party members said would ensure stability and continuity.

Party faithful expressed confidence that the decisive action would help reposition the PDP in Rivers State, strengthen internal cohesion and prepare the party for competitive electioneering and renewed service to the people.